Hightest Staff

JIM & TEAL KNAPP

Owners

Jim & Teal purchased Hightest in 2018 with the intention of carrying on the tradition of quality training and breeding that Hightest has become renowned for. Prior to purchasing Hightest, Jim and Teal owned Wyman Creek Kennel, a dog training/boarding facility also located in Butte County. They successfully trained dogs for obedience, agility, search and rescue, and hunting. 

Teal is a nationally recognized Senior Licensed Guide Dog Orientation and Mobility Instructor (GDOMI). She worked for Guide Dogs for the Blind from 1990-2013, training more than 3,000 dogs for blind and visually impaired handlers.

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Jim is an agriculture teacher at Las Plumas High School in Oroville. He has been teaching agriculture at LP for over 25 years and operates the farming operation both at Hightest and on the family farm. Jim is an avid bird and big game hunter. He has trained his personal retrievers to hunt for more than thirty years. 

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ANNIE

Office Manager

ANNIE has twelve years experience in social services and customer service. She's worked with animals all of her life, participating in Las Plumas High School FFA. She and her husband currently own four Queensland Heelers and various livestock, carrying on the FFA tradition with their niece. Annie currently fields customer inquiries at Hightest and aims to make you feel welcome to the Hightest family. Annie joined Hightest in 2018.

MELISSA

Kennel Manager 

MELISSA is very familiar with the Hightest family having worked for Hightest previously. Melissa is our Kennel Manager due to her eye for detail in the care of all Hightest boarding and training dogs. Melissa can also be found with our puppies and breeding bitches when they're in need of some extra loving and care. Melissa returned to Hightest in 2018.

CHRIS

Head Gun Dog Trainer

CHRIS has been around Labradors and hunting since he was a small boy. He has hunted over and helped train several of the family Labs. He is a natural when it comes to dogs. During the hunting season, Chris professionally guides for geese. He has been training Hightest client dogs since 2015.

LINDSEY

Gun Dog Trainer

LINDSEY has been surrounded by animals all her life. She trains hunting hounds and rides horses in her free time. She has a natural ability to read individual dogs so she can structure their training sessions appropriately. Whatever the weather, you will find Lindsey out in the fields, patiently teaching client dogs to mark. Lindsey joined Hightest in 2016.

BAILEY

Puppy Building Manager/ Diabetic Alert Dog Trainer

BAILEY has owned dogs all her life. She enjoys experiencing each dogs development and is dedicated to getting the optimum result with her dogs in training. Bailey became the Puppy Building Manger in 2018 and thrives on taking care of our puppies until they are placed in loving homes. Bailey joined our training team in 2017.

MACELIA

Gun Dog Training Apprentice

MACELIA is a graduate of the agricultural program at Las Plumas High School in Oroville. She gives plenty of TLC to all our training dogs and boarders. From throwing birds for the gun dogs to training our head start puppies and gun dogs, Macelia does it all with a smile on her face. Macelia started at Hightest in 2018.

BRIANNA

Obedience Trainer

BRIANNA is a 2019 Graduate of Hearthstone School in Oroville. Brianna started at Hightest in 2018. 

MARYCARMEN

Obedience Trainer / Puppy Building & Diabetic Alert Dog Training Apprentice

MARYCARMEN is currently a full-time student at Yuba College, studying in their Veterinary Technician program. Marycarmen joined our training team in 2018.

JENNA & JORDAN

Kennel Workers 

JENNA & JORDAN worked for Hightest the summer of 2018 and are working this summer as well. They clean kennels, bathe dogs, and makes sure all client dogs are walked several times a day. Jenna & Jordan are entering their Junior year at Oroville High School. 

BAYLIE

Kennel Worker / Obedience Training Apprentice

BAYLIE comes to Hightest with a horse training background.  Baylie joined  Hightest's staff in 2019. 

TINA 

Kennel 2 Worker

Tina comes from Wyman Creek Kennel, Jim and Teal's previous kennel. She joined  Hightest full-time in 2019. 

DIANA

Kennel 1 Worker

DIANA has been a long time employee of Bayside Retrievers. Upon Deb and Les's retirement, Diana joined  Hightest in 2018. 

CHRISTINE

Office Assistant

CHRISTINE comes from a legal secretary background. She joined  Hightest in 2019.